Religion Offerings: 10-5

10/5/2013

BLADE STAFF

Zion giving

Nineteen nonprofit organizations received more than $95,000 in donations from the Mission Endowment Fund of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waterville. The fund, which has been awarding grants since 2005, will likely pass the $1 million mark in total amount given next year. Members of Zion are sponsors of applications for funds, and awards go to nonprofits with focuses locally, regionally, nationally, and globally—with the understanding that they share the goal of the endowment fund, “bringing mission to life.” Church members vote on making the awards.

The largest grants this year are $12,700 to Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus (mostly for student financial aid), $10,000 toward the drilling of a drinking-water well in Mlenga Village, Tanzania, and $9,600 to help build an infant rescue center in Kenya. The smallest were $1,000 for community outreach to St. Peter Lutheran Church in Delphos, $1,300 to a Christian marriage counseling retreat in Indiana, and $1,300 for recovery support training at New Creation Lutheran Church in Ottawa.

Cornerstone going

Cornerstone Church has “Let's Go” as the theme for its annual “Heaven on Earth” conference, to be held at the church, 1520 Reynolds, Rd., Maumee Monday through Thursday. “That's always a big deal for us,” said Bishop Michael Pitts, one of Cornerstone's founding pastors. “It's like an annual homecoming for everyone,” and he expects people from Cornerstone churches as near as Lima, Ohio, and as far as Mexico to attend.

A different preacher will speak each night at a 7:30 pm service: Sheryl Brady on Monday, Samuel Rodriguez on Tuesday, Steven Furtick on Wednesday, and Chris Hill on Thursday; they all have national or international followings. Daytime sessions will take place at 11 am Tuesday through Thursday with Joey and Meredith Zamora, senior pastors of World Life Christian Center in Pasco, Wash. Even the children's ministry has a special guest, with Ricardo Miller, pastor of student ministries at Pathway of Life Church in Dallas. Award-winning gospel singer, songwritter, and worship leader Israel Houghton will provide music with the Cornerstone praise band each night.

Turning Point moving

Turning Point United Methodist Church holds its first service in its new location, the Woodland Mall, 1234 Main St., Bowling Green, Sunday at 11 am. The church will meet there for three Sundays before its official dedication service on Oct. 27 at 11 am. Turning Point's pastor is the Rev. Larry Whatley, who has been a weather caster for Toledo television stations.

Christ Presbyterian hosting

Sunday at all three of Christ Presbyterian Church's services at 4225 W. Sylvania Ave., at 8:30, 10, and 11:15 a.m., the Rev. Mukondi Ramulondi will preach. He will also teach “Insights and Faith from South Africa” at 7 p.m. The Rev. Ramulondi, a minister from South Africa who is the moderator-elect of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, is a mission partner at Christ Presbyterian and will be there through Oct. 25.

St. Petri quilting

Sunday at St. Petri Lutheran Church, 3120 S. Byrne Rd., the sanctuary will be filled with quilts to be blessed at the 9:15 a.m. service. The church's “All Thumbs Quilters” annually make quilts to give to Lutheran World Relief, which distributes them globally. The quilters' goal for this year was to make 113 quilts, but they surpassed that number solidly with 146. Those quilts will help Lutheran World Relief to meet its 500,000-quilt goal for the year.

YES FM bidding

Christian radio station YES FM's online auction returns Monday at 6 a.m., with items including books, CDs, collectibles, and other objects added every day. Those interested in making bids can register at biddingforgood.com/yeshome. For more information, go to yeshome.comor call 419-389-0893.

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